Supports: cabinet structure – Knockdown or setup type – Opposite walls rigidly interlocked
Utility Patent
1996-04-12
2001-01-02
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
Knockdown or setup type
Opposite walls rigidly interlocked
C312S100000
Utility Patent
active
06168248
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to air conditioning units in general, and specifically to an improved containment system for a packaged air conditioning unit.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Large ground-mounted or roof-mounted air conditioning units for light industrial or residential use, commonly known as “packaged” air conditioning units includes a containment system for containing the internal components thereof. The containment system of a packaged air conditioning unit is an important feature given that the unit is constantly subjected to environmental thermal stress and precipitation, and internal thermal stress resulting from the repeated cooling and heating of the unit, as well as moisture build-up within the unit. Furthermore, given the numerous sensitive internal components of the air conditioning unit, the containment system must repeatedly be partially disassembled and assembled to allow for servicing, maintenance, or replacement of these sensitive internal components.
A containment system of a conventional outdoor air conditioner includes an outer casing comprising of four sidewalls supported by four corner posts. Unfortunately, this configuration has been observed to lack structural integrity, is difficult to assemble, and does not provide easy access to the component parts of the contained unit.
Therefore, there exists a need for a sturdier, easier-to-assemble containment system for an air conditioning unit which provides for easy access to components of the unit for servicing and maintenance purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is a containment system for a packaged air conditioning unit.
The containment system of the invention includes a horizontally-oriented base pan upon which components of the air conditioning unit are mounted, a first vertically-oriented unit wrapper supported by the base pan, a second vertically-oriented unit wrapper supported by the base pan, a condenser compartment partition, a compressor compartment partition, an indoor section top cover, and an outdoor section top cover. The unit wrappers, the condenser partition, the compressor partition, and the cover sections are formed preferably of sheet metal.
The base pan of the containment system includes a plurality of positioning cleats spaced apart from one another formed about its periphery. For each positioning cleat formed about the periphery of the base pan, there is a corresponding notch formed on one of the unit wrappers. Each unit wrapper has an L-shaped cross-section and extends the length of one side plus one end of the base pan. The unit wrappers are joined at seams formed at opposite corners of the base pan. Because the unit wrappers directly abut the base pan, the wrappers provide lateral stiffening to the base pan.
A compressor compartment partition partially defines a compressor compartment for the containment system. Meanwhile, a condenser compartment partition defines a condenser compartment along with the second unit wrapper. Like the unit wrappers, the compressor and condenser compartment partitions include spaced apart notches formed along their bottom edge which engage positioning cleats similar to the aforementioned peripheral positioning cleats. The compartment partitions also provide lateral stiffening to the base pan.
A top cover comprising an indoor section and an outdoor section is then secured to the unit wrappers and the partition sections. Because the cover comprises two parts, access to internal components is simplified insofar as such access requires removal of one relatively small containment component.
In addition to the advantages already mentioned, the containment system described above simplifies the assembly of the air conditioning unit, reduces the number of parts required to complete the cabinet assembly, improves the shipping and handling characteristics of the unit, and reduces product cost by eliminating piece parts.
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Bruce Thomas P.
Daddis, Jr. Eugene D.
Dark Joe W.
Duppert Ronald J.
Kersh Bradley L.
Allred David E
Carrier Corporation
Cuomo Peter M.
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